Book of Mormon Feast
A Musical Tour of Alma 28-63
Alma 28
In the Book of Mormon, Alma wishes that he might be an angel, and speak with a voice of thunder, and tell all peoples to repent.
Marilyn Arnold and Maurine Ozment wrote “Oh That I Were an Angel,” which is found in their book Sacred Hymns of the Book of Mormon, 10.
Alma 28:11
The Book of Mormon records a sad time of war between the Nephites and the Lamanites: “And the bodies of many thousands are laid low in the earth, while the bodies of many thousands are moldering in heaps upon the face of the earth; yea, and many thousands are mourning for the loss of their kindred.”
Libera
Words and music by Peter Skellern
As part of the BBC commemoration of the centenary of World War 1, Libera travelled to France and Belgium in May to film a special 'Songs of Praise' programme.
Alma 29:8-
Book of Mormon prophet Alma had wished to be an angel to preach repentance. But more careful thought caused him to recognize that God has the situation under control; He gives to every people the messages that He sees fit in His wisdom.
The Mapleton Chorale, accompanied by John Sergeant on the piano
Mack Wilberg
words by William Hurn, 1754-
Alma 30:8
The people of the Book of Mormon, being a group of Israelites, had the Old Testament as written up to about 600 B.C. They knew the scripture, “Choose ye this day whom ye will serve,” and made it the basis of their law establishing freedom of religion. At the same time many of them made that choice for God, recognizing their need for Him.
Kelly Chiodo
words and music by Judith Wirthin Parker
Alma 30:44
Alma the Bookof Mormon prophet had an encounter with an anti-
Libera
Words by Bob Thiele; music by George David Weiss
Alma 30:44
Alma taught, “All things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator.”
The Advent Heralds
Alma 31:35
Alma prayed for his fellow missionaries in preaching the gospel to a hardened people: “Behold, O Lord, their souls are precious, and many of them are our brethren; therefore, give unto us, O Lord, power and wisdom that we may bring these, our brethren, again unto thee.”
The Asidors
In this world of darkness
We are given light
Hope for all the dying
How will they know
That Jesus loves them
And He died to save them
Carry the Light
Go and tell the children
They are precious in His sight
Carry the Light
Go and preach the gospel
‘Til there is no more night
In the name of Jesus Christ
Carry the Light.
Count them by the millions
Blinded slaves to sin
Inside they are dying.
How will they know
That Jesus loves them
And His heart is breaking.
Alma 32:23
Book of Mormon prophet Alma, on yet another mission, this time to the Zoramites, teaches them that God imparts His word throughout the world.
Jen Wilcox Photography
words and music by Grietje Terburg Rowley
Alma 32:26-
In the Book of Mormon, Alma taught the people how to have faith, and compared it to a seed.
“The Word Is a Seed,” from Sacred Hymns of the Book of Mormon, 27, written by Marilyn Arnold and Maurine Ozment, celebrates and elaborates on this allegory.
You’ll know it is good by its growth and its light.
You will feel it enlarging your soul.
Experiment now, test the word by your faith
As you nourish and help it to grow.
Alma 32:28
Alma taught the allegory of faith being like a seed, as recorded in the Book of Mormon:
“We will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be
planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not
cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold,
it will begin to swell within your breasts: and when you feel these swelling motions,
ye will begin to say within yourselves -
Charlotte Hottena
words by Virginia Maughan Kammeyer; music by Crawford Gates
Alma 32:28, 42-
Book of Mormon prophet and missionary Alma concluded his allegory of faith being
like a seed: “Because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the
word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck
the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet,
and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure;
and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not,
neither shall ye thirst. Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith,
and your diligence, and patience, and long-
words by Beaterice Goff Jackson; music by Michael Finlinson Moody
Alma 33:3-
In the Book of Mormon, Alma quoted the prophet Zenos’s beautiful and encouraging words about prayer.
The Lower Lights
words and music by Hans Henry Petersen
Alma 34:17-
Amulek, Book of Mormon missionary, fervently encouraged his hearers to pray always to the Lord.
Marilyn Arnold and Maurine Ozment wrote the song “Cry Unto Him,” which is found in their book Sacred Hymns of the Book of Mormon, 28.
Alma taught, “when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God.”
Jason Black
Alma 34:38
In the Book of Mormon, Amulek told the people to live in thanksgiving daily, because God gives so many blessings.
The Michael Curb Congregation
words by Johnson Oatman, Jr.; music by Edwin O. Excell
Alma 36
Book of Mormon chapter Alma 36 is an exquisite and beautiful chiasm, wherein Alma details his conversion from darkness to the light of Christ.
“I Am Born Now of God” is a song about this event and chapter. It is found in Marilyn Arnold’s and Maurine Ozment’s book Sacred Hymns of the Book of Mormon, 9.
Alma 36:3
Alma, in the Book of Mormon, testifies that those who put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials and troubles and afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day.
The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, with baritone soloist Shane Warby
words by Joseph Fielding Smith; music by George D. Pyper
Alma 36:18
Alma experienced the joy and forgiveness that comes from crying unto Jesus Christ, and receiving a remission of sins through his atonement.
Better Life Team, Egypt
I searched alot to find something to make me happy
Tries to find some thing that could satisfy me
but i went lost, wandering in this world,
my heart was still empty and thirsty.
I heard some one calling my name
told me to hold his hand, i know you,
i created you, i felt your pain
I came for you o my beloved,
I died for you on the cross,
I gifted you this life
I gave you salvation
and all your sins are forgiven
And i saw his hands reaching out for me,
with healing touch he open my eyes,
he shed light on path and changed my life
i was gone too far away..
How, i couldn’t see my lord
how did i live without him, who stays beside me?
i knelt down before him, i hold his hand,
i cried out before him loud
Today, my life belongs to You, Lord
to bear witness to Jesus, to say… “He is the way!”
He is the king, He is my eternal God
Come and surrender your life to Jesus, He is your God
grant you victory, over every sin, come sing with me,
Today, my life belongs to you lord
to bear witness to Jesus, to say… “He is the way!”
He is the king, He is my eternal God.
Alma 36:22
In the Book of Mormon, Alma recalls how Lehi saw God in heaven, surrounded by numberless concourses of angels, in the attitude of singing and praising their God, and his soul longed to be there.
Lord, Accept Our True Devotion
Bujor Florian Lucian
words by Richard Alldridge; music by Joseph J. Daynes
Alma 36:28
Book of Mormon prophet Alma testifies that he knows God will raise him up at the last day, to dwell with him in glory.
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
Fernando Ortega
words by Joachim Neander; translated by Catherine Winkworth;
music by William S. Bennett and Otto Goldschmidt, 1829-
Alma 37:35
In the Book of Mormon, Alma counsels his son: “O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God.”
Families Can Be Together Forever
Mormon Channel
words by Ruth M. Gardner; music by Vanja Y. Watkins
James Hebdon on the piano
words by Eliza R. Snow; music by George F. Root
Cara Marie Harris
Thelma J. Harrison; Russian folk tune
Alma 37:35-
Alma, in the Book of Mormon, counseled his son: “Cry unto God for all thy support.”
As Zion’s Youth in Latter Days
Latter-
words by Susan Evans McCloud; Irish melody
Alma 37:36,37
In the Book of Mormon, Alma tells his son: “Let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord.”
Oh, May My Soul Commune with Thee
The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square
words and music by Lorin F. Wheelwright
General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-
Alma 37:36,37
Book of Mormon prophet Alma advises his son, “Let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord.”
Pan Flute Duet
words by Lowell M. Durham, Jr.; music by Lowell M. Durham
Alma 37:36,37
Alma counsels his son, as recorded in the Book of Mormon, “Let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.”
Brea
words anonymous; music by George Careless
Alma 37:37
Alma, in the Book of Mormon, told his son, “Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good.”
Amanda W. Smith
words by Matilda Watts Cahoon; music by Mildred Tanner Pettit
Alma 37:37
In the Book of Mormon, Alma counsels his son, “When thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God.”
Pat Boone
words by Sabine Baring-
Tenor Richard Jose, recorded in 1904
text by George W. Doane;
music by Carl Maria von Weber, arranged by Henry Greatorix
Alma 38:9
Book of Mormon prophet Alma said to his son, “There is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ. Behold, he is the life and the light of the world. Behold, he is the word of truth and righteousness.
words and music by Orson Pratt Huish
In the Book of Mormon Alma taught, “There is a time appointed that all shall rise from the dead.”
Alex Boyé and the Utah Valley University Institute of Religion Choir
Alma 41:14,15
Alma taught his son, as recorded in the Book of Mormon, “See that you are merciful unto your brethren; deal justly, judge righteously, and do good continually.”
Truth Reflects upon Our Senses
Concert pianist Paul Cardall
text by Eliza R. Snow; music by Charles Davis Tillman
Alma 42:14,15
Alma, in the Book of Mormon, told his son, “Thus we see that all mankind were fallen, and they were in the grasp of justice; yea, the justice of God, which consigned them forever to be cut off from his presence. And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also.”
How Great the Wisdom and the Love
The BYU Singers
words by Eliza R. Snow; music by Thomas McIntyre
Alma 43:48-
In the Book of Mormon, Captain Moroni encourages his tired soldiers with thoughts of their liberty and freedom.
Priesthood Choir from Ogden/Logan Institutes
words by Felicia D. Hemans; music by Evan Stephens
Alma 45:1
After the Book of Mormon people were delivered from their enemies, and retained their liberty, they gave thanks to the Lord their God, and worshipped Him with exceedingly great joy.
Libera Boys Choir 
Alma 46
When his nation was faced with an invading enemy in the Lamanites, Book of Mormon Captain Moroni improvised a flag to rally his people round the cause of liberty.
“The Title of Liberty,” by Marilyn Arnold and Maurine Ozment tells the stirring story of this ensign, from their book, Sacred Hymns of the Book of Mormon, 15.
Alma 46:12,13
The Nephites of the Book of Mormon were loyal to their liberty and their country, in the face of invasion.
The United States Naval Academy, United States Air Force Academy,
United States Academy of West Point, the United States Coast Guard Academy, accompanied by the United States Army Herald Trumpets
words by Francis Scott Key; music by John Stafford Smith
Cultural Celebration at the dedication of the Gilbert Arizona Temple
words and music by Evan Stephen
Alma 46:13
John Philip Sousa
“The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band
Alma 46:17
In the Book of Mormon, Captain Moroni, that great defender of his country’s liberty, prayed and designated all the land, north and south, as a land of liberty.
Mexicanos, al grito de guerra
Words by Francisco González Bocanegra; music by Jaime Nunó
Alma 53:17
A group of young men in the Book of Mormon covenanted to fight for the liberty of their nation, even at the peril of their own lives.
The First Baptist Church choir and orchestra of Panama City, Florida
words by William Walsham How; music by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Alma 53:18-
The Book of Mormon recounts how a group of young men were determined to serve God and their country to the end as soldiers in an army, led by the prophet Helaman.
We’ll Bring the World His Truth (Army of Helaman)
“The RM” soundtrack
words and music by Janice Kapp Perry
Alma 53:20,21
The Army of Helaman, in the Book of Mormon, was composed of young and valient men, who, as the Book of Mormon recounts, “were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted.”
As Zion’s Youth in Latter-
The Arizona Dancentennial of 2012
words by Susan Evans McCloud; Irish melody
See the Mighty Priesthood Gathered
Priesthood choir from Ogden and Logan Institutes
words by Jean L. Kaberry, 1918-
General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-
Alma 53:20,21
The Book of Mormon record that the young soldiers of the Army of Helaman were “men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him.”
words and music by Joseph Ballantyne
This version of “Stand for the Right” is simply illustrated. (Children’s Songbook,
159; words and music by Joseph Ballantyne, 1868-
The Goldfield Ward Primary
words and music by Vanja Y. Watkins
Alma 56 – 58
Helaman, the leader of the group of young warriors who joined to defend their country’s liberty, felt great affection and respect for his charges. Marilyn Arnold and Maurine Ozment composed “My Little Band,” found in their book Sacred Hymns of the Book of Mormon, 16.
My little band, my sons, my sons, will ye to battle go?
Will you fight fiercely for the right against our ruthless foe?
What say ye, sons, so young and pure, will you coarse weapons wield?
Will you fight bravely at my side, with virtue as your shield?
Alma 57:27
The Army of Helaman was successful in their first battle. Although they received many wounds, not one of them perished. The Book of Mormon states, “Their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually.”
Priesthood men’s choir from the Salt Lake County, Utah institutes of religions
words by Ruth May Fox, 1853-
April 2012 General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-
General Priesthood Session
Alma 58:10,11
The Book of Mormon explains that, although the Nephite armies, including the Army of Helaman, had been successful in driving out the occupying Lamanites. However, they needed reinforcements of food and men, and for an unknown reason they were not forthcoming. The young men “did pour out our souls in prayer to God, that he would strengthen us and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, yea, and also give us strength that we might retain our cities, and our lands, and our possessions, for the support of our people.”
Lara Johnson
words by Naomi W. Randall; music by Stephen M. Jones
Alma 58:40
Helaman described, in the Book of Mormon, the young warriors in these words: “They have received many wounds; nevertheless they stand fast in that liberty wherewith God has made them free; and they are strict to remember the Lord their God from day to day. . . And their faith is strong in the prophecies concerning that which is to come.”
Fountainview Academy
words by Karolina Wilhelmina Sandell-
music by Oscar Ahnfelt
Aholnul Botanical Gardens of Kauai, Hawaii
Alma 62:36
The Book of Mormon tells of a national hero named Teancum, who fought valiantly for
his country’s freedom. In the end, he single-
The Last Full Measure of Devotion
Dallyn Bayles & the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square
Alma 62:40
The Book of Mormon records a time of great wickedness among the Nephites, with murder, contentions, and dissensions, and “all manner of iniquity.” However, it also says that because of the prayers of the righteous, the nation was spared.
Tauren Wells
Alma 62:41
The Book of Mormon recounts a time of lingering war. Many became hardened, but many others were humbled and softened by their afflictions.
As part of the BBC commemoration of the centenary of World War 1, Libera travelled to France and Belgium in May to film a special 'Songs of Praise' programme.
Words and music by Peter Skellern
For all who need comfort, for all those who mourn
All those whom we cherished will be reborn
All those whom we love but see no more
They are not perished, but gone before
And lie in the tender arms of he
Who died for us all to set us free
From hatred and anger and cruel tyranny
May they rest in peace, and rise in glory
All suffering and sorrow will be no more
They'll vanish like shadows at heaven's door
All anguish and grieving will one day be healed
When all of God's purpose will be revealed
Though now for a season lost from sight
The innocent slain in the blindness of right
Are now in the warmth of God's glorious light
Where they rest in peace, and rise in glory